Cespedes discusses A's, Marlins, coming to USA

The big news in the baseball world Monday was the signing of Cuban import Yoenis Cespedes. He ended up with Billy Beane's Oakland A's, not the Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs or Detroit Tigers.

Cespedes is a 26-year-old outfielder. According to Baseball-Reference.com, Cespedes hit .333/.424/.667 with 33 homers, 99 RBI, 11 steals and 89 runs in 90 games last season in Cuba. He hit .458 in six games during the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

After the signing Monday, Cespedes spoke to MLB.com about his new deal to play in America. Here's what he had to say, again, via MLB.com:

"I am super happy because it's been a dream of mine for a long time," Cespedes said. "To leave my country and play in the big leagues is what the goal was. My family is really happy, too. They are living their dreams through me."

"My first goal is to make the team and stay healthy all season, and little by little, I'll make more goals," Cespedes said. "I've been preparing every day for this and I 100 percent believe that I am ready for the Major Leagues. I have a lot of international experience and experience at a high level. I'm very confident in my abilities."

"Miami was a great visit," Cespedes said. "I had a good time. I ate with the team president and other people in front office. They were nice and it was a great experience, but the A's were for me."

"It was a great process, training and working out for teams," Cespedes said. "It was difficult decision to leave Cuba, but I'm really excited with how things worked out. I saw a bunch of teams and they saw me, too, but Oakland was the best for me."

Cespedes discusses A's, Marlins, coming to USA

This may be a shock but it may be a a short term deal to see how he settles in the big leagues. Going to a low expectation team rather than to a team expected to be challenging for the division, pennant and world series such as the Marlins will have may have been too much dor Cespedes to cope with.

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